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All nordic countries are using flags depicting the Nordic cross, a christian symbol. These include Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Åland and Finland. The Nordic cross is shifted towards the hoist on all Nordic flags. This was done to allow a better identification of the flag on vessels at sea by compensating the smaller appearance of the external part of the flag when fluttering in the wind. Yet, the amount of shifting is not identical on all the Nordic flags.
The two regional powers in the history of the Baltic sea have been Denmark, symbolised by the red colour, and Sweden, symbolised by the blue colour. Both countries have a similar legend of a cross descending on earth during a battle and ensuring victory. The red and blue parts of the Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroe and Åland flags are reminiscent of the domination of Sweden and Denmark, in turn, in their history. Only Finland does not include a red pattern in its flag.
Nordic flags
Nordic flags
Denmark
Denmark
National flag
Civil ensign
Ratio: 28:37 (1.321)
Dimensions: H 3:1:4.5 to 5.25, V 3:1:3. Note that the length of the last red part is not fixed in law beyond being between 4.5 and 5.25. However, 5.25 is commonly used.
Colour: the red is not defined, but Pantone 186c is generally used.
Both flags can be used as yatch flag.
The flag of Denamrk is called the Dannebrog. The origine of the flag dates back to the Battle of Lindanise (today Tallinn) in 1219, fought by Valdemar II of Denmark, at the request of the pope to convert the Estonians. As the Danish troops were being overwhelmed, the Dannebrog fell from the sky and gave them victory.
Norway
Norway
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 8:11 (1.375)
Dimensions: H 6:1:2:1:12, V 6:1:2:1:6
Colours: dark blue and intense red, not further defined
Red and blue were chosen in reference with past union with Demark (red) and Sweden (blue), as well as blue, white and red in reference to the French flag as a symbol of freedom
The current norwegian flag was designed in 1821 and adopted. However, as Norway was in union with Sweden, the flag was approved by the king for civiluse, but military and king flags remained. It is only in 1905 when Norway quitted the union with Sweden that the current flag got official recognition.
A Nowegian flag is never allowed t touch the ground.
Sweden
Sweden
National flag and ensign
Civil ensign
Alternate blue colour for yacht ensign
Ratio: 5:8 (1.6)
Dimensions: H 5:2:9, V 4:2:4
Colours: "light medium blue and golden yellow"
Both flags can e used as yatch flags
The legend says that King Eric IX saw a golden cross in the skyas he landed in Finalnd during the first Swedish crusade in 1157 and he adopted the golden cross on a bluebackground as his banner. The cross may have been white originally...
The flag was originally in darker blue than today. The colour was changed in 1906.
Finland
Finland
National flag
Civil ensign
The distinctive emblem of each club is placed on the marck
Ratio: 11/18 (1.636)
Dimensions: H 5:3:10, V 4:3:4
Colour: "sea blue", RGB(0,47,108)
The design of the Finnish flag date back to 19th century. THe blue colour represnts the country thousand lakes and the sky, while the white represents the snow that covers the country in winter.
Both flags can be used as yatch flags. Bottom one used when being a member of yatch club having a disitnctive emblem.
Åland
Åland
National flag
Civil ensign
Åland yatch clubs can used this ensign, with the emblem of the club replacing the oval.
17:26 (1.529)
Ensign: 15:31 (2.067)
Dimensions: H 16:3:4:3:26(:10), V 12:3:4:3:12
Colours: "medium blue, golden yellow and red"
Link: Åland flag, Åland ensign
The flag of Åland is the Swedish flag includeing a red cross symbolising Finland, as red and yellow is the colour scheme of the Finnish coat of arms. The flag is official since 1954.
The swallow-tailed ensign for leisure boats was introduced in 1999.
Faroe islands
Faroe islands
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 8:11 (1.375)
Dimensions: H 6:1:2:1:12, V 6:1:2:1:6
Blue RGB(1,101,191), Red RGB(238,36,54)
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Faroe_Islands
The flag is called Merkið, which means the banner. The white symbolises the foam of the sea and the pure sky while red and blue refer to the strong links with Nordic countries.
Iceland
Iceland
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 18:25 (1.389)
Dimensions: H 7:1:2:1:14, V 7:1:2:1:7
Colours: blue RGB(2,82,156)
The Icelandic flag dates from the independance of the country in 1944. Blue represents the mountains and sky, white the ice and snow and red, the fire produced by volcanoes.
South-Baltic flags
South-Baltic flags
The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Russia are all "banded" flags, with no reference to a christian cross.
Links: https://www.balticrun.com/flags-of-the-baltic-countries-and-their-meanings/
The Netherlands
The Netherlands
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 2:3 (1.5)
Dimensions:H 9, V 2:2:2
Colours: bright vermillion RGB(174,77,32), white and cobalt blue RGB(33,70,139)
THe Dutch flag has inspired both France and Russia. THe Dutch flag is almost similar to the flag of Luxemourg, eventough the Dutch flag is shorter and the red and blue are darker.
Germany
Germany
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 3:5 (1.667)
Dimensions: H 5, V 1:1:1
Colours: black RGB(0,0,0), traffic red RBB(255,0,0) and gold RGB(255,204,0)
The current German flag was first adopted during the Weimar Republic. It was reinstated in 1946 in the west occupation zones and became in 1948 the flag of West Germany. In 1990, it became the flag of the reunified Germany.
Poland
Poland
National flag
Civil ensign
Civil and state ensign
Ratio: 5:8 (1.6)
Dimensions: H 16, V 5:5
Colour: red RGB(217,30,65)
Only the bottom flag should be used as yatch flag.
The Polish ational flag was adopted in 1919. The civil ensign includes the coat of arm on the white band. The white band represents the white eagle on the coat of arm. It should always appear on top or on the left when the flag is hung vertically.
Lithuania
Lithuania
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 3:5 (1.667)
Dimensions: H 5, V 1:1:1
Colours: yellow RGB(253,185,19), green RGB(0,106,68) red RGB(193,39,45)
The Lithuanian flag was adopted initially in 1918 until the soviel occupation in 1940 and then reinstated in 1989. Yellow represents the sun and prosperity, green the forests, nature, liberty and hope while red stands for bravery and blood in memory of those who died for Lithuania.
Latvia
Latvia
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 1:2 (2)
Dimensions: H 10, V 2:1:2
Colours: carmin red RGB(158,27,52)
The Latvian flag was adopted initially in 1918 until the soviel occupation in 1940 and then reinstated in 1990. The red colour represents the bravery of the Latvian who gave their blood for their country. The legend says that the first Latvian flag had been a white shirt tinted with blood and held as a banner during a battle.
Estonia
Estonia
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 7:11 (1.571)
Dimensions: H 33, V 7:7:7
Colours: light blue RGB(0,114,206), black RBG(0,0,0), white RGB(255,255,255)
Same as for the two other Baltic states, the flag was adopted in 1918 and resinstated in 1991. There are variation in the interpretation of the colours. The blue represents the sky and concepts of feredom and truth. The black represents the soil, the home land and the "dark" fate of Estonian people over the centuries, and the white, purity and commitment as well as a bright future.
Russia
Russia
National flag and ensign
Ratio: 2:3 (1.5)
Dimensions: H 9, V 2:2:2
Colours: blue RGB(0,57,166), red RGB(213,43,30)
The flag was initially used for merchant ships. It became the flag of the Tsardom of Russia in 1696 until the 1917 revolution. It was reestablished after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 to become the flag of the Russian Federation.
The colour scheme is reported to be derived from the Dutch flag as Peter the Great had ordered a Dutch-built frigate from Amsterdam that was delivered with a Dutch ensign. Peter decided to just change the order of the colours for the Russian navy.
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